Vapor electric device



Jan. 10, 1933. D. c. PRINCE VAPOR ELECTRIC DEVICE Filed Feb. 16, 1927 l u m m W fw n t eC N Y s Tmw H Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES PATEN r OFFICE,

DAVID c. rnmcn, or SGHIENEGTADY, NEW YORK, 'AssrsNoR T GENERALELECTRIC,

ooMPANY, A ooRroRATIoivioF NEW YORK VAPOR ELECTRIC DEVICE Application filed February 16, 1927. Serial No. 168,811.

My invention relates to vapor electric devices, such as a rectifier provided with a mercury cathode and a plurality of anodes, and has for its principal object the provision of an improved arrangement of parts and of the anode material or by the volatilization of mercury which is condensed in the upper part .of the tank and drops or runs down on the hot surfaces of the anodes. In order to avoid destructive arcs, which are commonly designated by the term arc-back, it is, therefore, desirable that a low vapor pressure be maintained in the active region around the anodes. It is also desirable that the vapor pressure in the condensing or inactive region of the device be maintained at a comparatively high'value for the reason that the efliciency of the cooling system is dependent on the existence-of a high temperature and pressure in this region. r

. In accordance with my invention, arc-back is prevented and cooling of the device is facilitated by an improved arrangement of parts whereby the vapors emanating from the cathode are maintained at a comparatively low pressure and high velocity in the region where they are separated from the are stream and are maintained at a comparatively high pressure and low velocity in the region where they are condensed.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

' The drawing is a cross-sectional view of a mercury arc rectifier constructed in accordance with my invention.

"This rectlfier comprises an evacuated receptacle 1 which encloses a mercury cathode 2 and a plurality of anodes 3 each electrically insulated from the receptacle 1-by an insulation sleeve 4 and provided with an external terminal 5. The cathode 2 is insulated from the tank 1 by an insulation receptacle 6 and is connected'to an external terminal 7 through a lead 8 which is surrounded by an insulation sleeve 9' and is electrically insulated from the tank 1 by an insulation sleeve 10.

Means comprising a casing 11 are provided for circulating a cooling medium in contact with the exterior of the tank 1. It will be observed that thetank 1 is provided with an inner flange portion 12 which extends inwardly over the edge of the insulation vessel 6; that a contracting nozzle 13 is arranged above the cathode 2 to receive the vapors which are projected upwardly therefrom; and that suitable openings 14 are provided for permitting the return of the condensed vapor to the insulation receptacle'fi.

When a vapor flows through a contracting nozzle from a vessel at high pressure into one at low pressure, the maX-imumvelocity of egress is obtained with a dropuof approximately in pressure. Thus if the vapor .in the cathode chamber below the nozzle 12 is assumedv to be discharged through the nozzle 12, this vapor reaches the lowest pres sure and highest velocity in the region between the nozzles 12 and 13 where it is separated from the; arc stream which goes to the anodes. It is then delivered to the large end of the nozzle 13 at a high velocity, is decelerated until it reaches the narrowest part of the nozzle 13, is further decelerated in the upper part of the nozzle 13, and comes substantially to rest in the condensing chamber at a pressure which is substantially double that in the region between the nozzles.

In view ofthe foregoing explanation it will be-apparent that this. method of operation involves the steps of accelerating-the vapor up to the nozzle 12,.expanding the vapor to itshighest velocity and lowest pressure in the region where it is separated from the arc stream, decelerating the vapor up to the contracting portion of the nozzle .13, and further decelerating the vapor to a low velocity in the expanding portion of the nozzle 13 and in the condensing chamber above this nozzle. Since the pressure drop within the rectifier varies from about 2 5 atmospheres at the cathode to substantially zero inthe negionof least ,presssure, it is possible by this process 'both to secure within the condensing charnber above the nozzle 13 a I essure high enough to greatly facilitate cooling of the rectifier and to maintain a comparatively low pressure at the anodes 3 which are located in a region which is remote from the path of the vapor discharged from the I cathode and is maintained at a pressure cor- 15 responding to that of the vapor when it is the nozzles 12 and '13. The embodiment of the invention illusand described herein has been selected v ibrthe purpose of clearly setting forth the 9b involved. It will be apparent, veg-that the invention is susceptible of being modified to meet the di'fi'erent condition'senoountered in its use and I, therefore, aim to cover by the appended claims all modifications within the true spirit and scope at my invention.

What El-claim as new and desire to secure hy'L'etters Patent-of the United States is:

11E vapor electric device including an evacuated vessel, a vaporizable cathode located within said vessel, a condensing cham- -ber1ibove said cathode within said evacuated m1, an anode chamber within said evacuated vessel, a contracting and expanding B5 interposed between said cathode and *said chamber to raise the vapor pressure in said condensing chamber and to lower the vapor pressure in said anode chamber. and means f-or circulating a cooling medium in 40 oontact lith the surfaces of said condensing ohamlier, said nozzle, and said evacuated vase 2:3. device including an insulation recep- 'tacle, a 'eaporizable cathode located within said receptacle, an evacuated vessel surimm'dhg said receptacle and including an is ernal fiange integral with said vessel and extending within said receptacle and downhardly below the upper edge of said recepticle, a condensing chamber within said emanated vessel, and a contracting nozzle en between said cathode and said B. A deviceincluding an insulation recepsmtacle, a'vaporizable cathode located within said receptacle, an evacuated vessel surrounding said rec tacle and including an internal flange which overlaps the edge of said receptacle, a condensing chamber withwia'said evacuated vessel, a contracting and nozzle inter between said am said cham er, and means for 4. A device including an evacuated vessel,

a vaporizable cathode, and a rece tacle arranged to insulate said cathode om said vessel, said vessel being provided with a flange integral with said vessel and arranged to extend within said a J L e and downwardly below the upper ge of said receptslxcle, said flange forming an expanding nozz e.

5. A vapor electric device including a vaporizable cathode, a condensing chamber, a plurality of nozzles interposed between said cathode and said chamber and spaced from one another to form an opening therebetween, the lower one of said nozzles beian expanding nozzle, the lower portion the upper one of said nozzles being a'contraeti ng nozzle and the upper portion being-an expending nozzle, and an anode chamber interconnected with said opening, said dowelone of said nozzles being red tor-aubstantial distance above sai cathode to etpand the vapor therefrom to -a high velocity and relativ 1 low pee in the region of said opening weensaid In M zles, said lower portion of saidnwer m of said nozzles being tapered for EBllbfiifltial distance above said opening to ate said vapor to a relatively low velocity in said expanding upper portion of said app-wilt nozzle and in said condensing chamber, where a relatively high vapor p is maintained in said condensing chamber :aml arelatively low vapor pnesure is ma in saidanode chamber.

6. A vapor electric device inc alwaporizable cathode, a chamber to condense the vapors emanati fmm Q'ti cathode, an anode chamber, an a plurality of'nozzles arranged to form an opening h- I06 tween said cathode and said anode the lower one of saidmozzles n: an Gl pandizng nozzle, the lower portion n then}!- per one of said nozzlesbeing a contmm'ng nozzle and :the upper of said upper; 10 one of said nozzles being an expanding amizle, said lower one of said nnules being tapared for a substantial distance cathode to expand the super athereim'm to -a relatively high velocity and relatively dow lli pressure in the region of said opening, said lower portionof said upper onecisaid nozzles being tapered for a substantial distance above said opening to vdscelerate said 1! to a relatively low velocity insaid exzpanfi n i g A20 upper portion of said upper" in said condensingchamber, whereby relatively high vapor pressure is maintainedin said condensing chamber and relatively \lUW vapor pressure in said anode chamber. 2

7. A vapor electric device inclndin .a'laporizable cathode, a conden r, an anode chamber, and two eno z zfcs :i

in series between said cathode and mid DI- densing. chamber and an opening .180

therebetw'een, the lower one of said nozzles being an expanding nozzle arranged to conduct all of the vapor rising from said cathode, the lower portion of the upper one of said nozzles being a contracting nozzle and the upper portion of the upper one of said nozzles being an expanding nozzle, said lower one of said nozzles being tapered for a substantial distance above said cathode to expand the vapor therefrom to a relatively high velocity and relatively low pressure in the region of said opening, said lower portion of said upper one of said nozzles being tapered for a substantial distance above said opening to decelerate said vapor to a relatively low velocity in said expanding upper portion of said upper nozzle and in said condensing chamber, whereby relatively high vapor pressure is maintained in said condensing chamber and relatively low vapor pressure is maintained in said anode chamber.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of February, 1927.

DAVID C. PRINCE. 

